U.S. WAR GEAR ON MOVE: SHIPPERS

New York Post ^ | 8/13/02 | Reuters

[kattracks]

Some of the high-tech, gadget-loaded planes that could be used in a campaign against Iraq include the EA-6B Prowler (above).

August 13, 2002 -- The U.S. Navy is seeking to charter a large ship to carry military helicopters and ammunition from the United States to two ports in the Red Sea, shipping brokers said yesterday.

[Petronski]

What is the 'Loose Lips' status of a published report like this? It's already public record, but by linking them all here, do we add value by providing 'one stop shopping' for terrorists?

I'm not protesting your post, only raising a philosophical question.

[TheLurkerX]

I doubt it. Everything I've seen from various sources this week points to something in 3-4 weeks. I could be wrong, but that's the feeling I'm getting. And you're right, the media is to blame. I might think it was disinformation if a lot of it didn't appear briefly in the press and then disappear. Of course in this day and age of private satellite photography, I'm sure Saddam will see us a coming a mile away unless someone in the government is smart enough to prohibit more photos coming out like the ones of the Qatar base.

[ItisaReligionofPeace]

The truth is that these ships would be reported in the M.E. when they start unloading their cargo.

[ItisaReligionofPeace]

Don't you mean you can't think of one nation that would suport us in Public?

[ItisaReligionofPeace]

I don't know about where you are, but around here the National Guard always practices during the summer.

[John O]

along with about 4 LPH's

No more LPH's in service (Per Naval Vessel Register). Did you mean the LHA/LHD Amphibious flat top type ships or the LSD Landing dock type ships?

God Save America (Please)

[Zubercyber]

Pretty picture yeah one out of two, you know what I mean the beautiful, but you left the "Tripp" out! where is she ??

[1Old Pro]

I've never heard the large caliber machine gun fire, non-stop for weeks though.

[WhirlwindAttack]

As a father with 2 sons in the gulf,I think we should plug these security leaks.

.45 cal should plug them effectively

[Travis McGee]

Kick their ass and take the gas.

[GVnana]

I like this propaganda war. We've got legions of Iraqi defectors on TV telling us the Iraqi people and the revolutionary guard will get behind the overthrow of Saddam with a little help from the US. That the pro-Saddam demonstrators in the streets are brought in by the busload after receiving threats.

We've got Saddam's administration asking for weapons inspectors, then saying they don't want them. Confusion and demoralizaiton is a good thing. And all the while, Bush has no war plans on his desk. It's crazy making. I like it.

[chance33_98]

I'm sure Saddam will see us a coming a mile away

That's ok - it's like seeing a 20 mega-ton nuclear warhead heading towards you a mile away. Your still doomed :)

[TheLurkerX]

Exactly. There's not much he can do about it anyway.

[cake_crumb]

"That's ok - it's like seeing a 20 mega-ton nuclear warhead heading towards you a mile away. Your still doomed :)"

LOL...or seeing a projectile the size of a car coming down on you after being fired from a ship 50 miles away.

[JavaTheHutt]

The official field manual for wall to wall counciling:

FM 22-102

[KineticKitty]

John just hated downloading his Equip. off some of these vessels a few years ago...

I hope we win this "war" despite the news media whores.

[hresources]

In this age of sattelites and instant communication, it is going to be awful hard to hide mass movements of aircraft, vehicles and eventually troops. All one has to do is visit a local base or National Guard Armory and you will see the re-painting of vehicles from Woodstock Camoflage to Desert Tan Camoflage. My son (Army Ranger) was sent to kuwait two weeks ago. Kind of like "where do you hide the 800 Lb Gorilla". The again, maybe it is all an information/disinformation campaign that has to be driving Sadam nuts.

[Mo1]

In this age of sattelites and instant communication, it is going to be awful hard to hide mass movements

True and I understand your point .. by if I see a person scratching their butt I don't announce it to the world even though others see it also ..

[fogarty]

Not sure if this is actually a security brief. If the DoD doesn't have the heavy shipping assets to move the gear, then they are forced to use commercial shipping. And with the demise of our in-country Merchant Marine shipping we are almost forced to rely on global corporations like SeaLand.

Sure, the DoD can try to keep the lid on chartering SeaLands largest oceangoing transit vessel, but it's really like asking them to keep fuel purchases on the open market a secret. People WILL know that the 5 million gallons of fuel is not available for other customers - someone has bought it. When the DoD charters a half-dozen vessels like this - the equivalent of millions of tons of commercial shipping, someone is going to know. It's all part of doing business in the global economic world.

What this points to once again is the fact that our military and our national logistical support is in perilous waters. Bush and Rumsfeld are fooling themselves if they think we can rebuild our military to 1992 levels in only 18 months time.

[OKSooner]

Yeah! THOSE big triangular things that are based at Tinker AFB in Oklahoma! They actually get a more kinda rounded shape when they're full of stuff! My dad sees dozens of 'em every day from his house! They fly as fast as C-17's!

(Hey... is it okay to talk about this kind of stuff?)